The city also pursues funding from federal, state grant programs to assist in funding

The city’s capital budget is a blueprint for investments in city infrastructure and the major vehicles and equipment needed to provide services to the community.

Financing for these long-lived assets is funded in large part through the issuance of debt: 10-year borrowing for most projects and major equipment purchases, 20-year debt for some of the larger projects like bridges and public buildings. Some projects are funded through available cash.

To the extent possible, the city also pursues funding from federal and state grant programs to assist in funding capital projects. Community fundraising is often a funding component for “quality of life” investments like park improvements.

Capital projects planned for 2015 include:

•Harbor dredging. A WisDOT Harbor Assistance Program (HAP) grant for $878,868 will fund 80 percent of the estimated $1.1 million cost to remove about 22,000 CY of sediments from the outer harbor, between the piers. Local match will be “in kind” (not cash), attributed to the city providing a disposal site.

•Harbor Park seawall/docking/water main project. The city is (we hope) in the “home stretch” of securing funding for this $3.3 million project, located just upriver from the Coast Guard station.

To date, grants totaling $1.8 million have been secured, in addition to $500,000 borrowed by the city. There are two major grant applications pending, which would fund the remaining $1 million needed for this project.

•New fish cleaning station and boat ramp improvements. This $375,000 project at Vets Park also includes a boat-washing station and a rain garden to manage site runoff.

Fifty percent of project funding has been secured from grants.

•Rotary pavilion at Neshotah Beach. Fundraising has hit the halfway point for this $125,000 project. There will be a fundraising push in February and March, to get the project “over the top” and assure completion by Labor Day weekend and the 10th annual “Kites Over Lake Michigan.” TR Rotary has taken the lead with a $25,000 naming gift.

•Lakeshore Park area improvements. Improvements to be funded through Tax Incremental District No. 4, in tandem with Bank First National’s new development, include a paved bike/ped trail from 12th Street to Madison Street, landscaping along the newly constructed Lake Street extension, and upgrades to playground equipment.

The city also is pursuing marked bike/ped crossings, to make it safer to cross Memorial Drive to and from Mariners Trail, at both 12th Street and Madison Street.

•27th Street milling and repaving, Forest Avenue to Washington Street. This $280,000 project will be funded in part through special assessments.

•Concrete flatwork repair and replacement. May not sound exciting, but important and necessary ... $125,000 for work around the city.

•Bridge deck repairs and sealing. More long-term maintenance to protect these investments ... $100,000 total for the Washington, Madison and 22nd street spans.

•Beach cleaner replacement. $40,000.

•Replacement dump trucks, DPW. Two budgeted, for $300,000.

•Replacement backhoe, DPW. $125,000.

•Upgrade of audio/visual systems in City Hall Council Chambers. $30,000.

•City Hall concrete and masonry repairs. $30,000.

•Police tactical vests. $20,000.

City utility projects include an upgrade to the computerized control systems at the water filtration plant ($150,000), water main replacements in areas with flow issues ($110,000), replacement of an electric utility bucket truck ($105,000) and sewer main replacement or lining projects ($225,000).

Major projects still in planning

Projects still in the planning stages include:

•Bike trails to the high school. This $1.5 million project is proceeding slowly into the design stage, after completion of a routing alternatives study and some preliminary environmental review work in 2014. With a little luck, we may be able to bid the work in 2016.

•Wisconsin 42/Lincoln Avenue reconstruction. This $5 million, WisDOT-led project is planned for 2017. It will extend from 22nd Street to 35th Place.

$2 million of the project cost is for replacement of water and sewer utilities beneath that roadway, a cost to be paid 100 percent by the city. These costs will be paid from Tax Incremental District No. 7, which also assisted with redevelopment of the old TR hospital.

Another public information meeting on this major project will be held within the next two month.

Two Rivers City Manager Greg Buckley may be contacted by calling (920) 793-5532 or by emailing grebuc@two-rivers.org.